NJL Model at Finite Chemical Potential in a Constant Magnetic Field

We investigate the influence of an external magnetic field on chiral symmetry breaking in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model at finite temperature and chemical potential. According to the Fock-Schwinger proper-time method, we calculate the effective potential in the leading order of the $1/N_c$ expansion. The phase boundary dividing the symmetric phase and the broken phase is illustrated numerically. A complex behavior of the phase boundary is found for large chemical potential.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, Poster talk presented at the Workshop on Finite Density QCD at Nara, Japan, 10-12 July 2003; replaced two reference

Four-fermion Interaction Model in a Constant Magnetic Field at Finite Temperature and Chemical Potential

We investigate an influence of an external magnetic field on chiral symmetry breaking in a four-fermion interaction model at finite temperature and chemical potential. By using the Fock-Schwinger proper-time method, we calculate the effective potential for the four-fermion interaction model at the leading order of the $1/N_c$ expansion. A phase structure of the chiral symmetry breaking is shown on $T$-$\mu$, $H$-$T$ and $\mu$-$H$ planes. The external magnetic field modifies the phase structure. It is found that a new phase appears for a large chemical potential.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure

Quasinormal mode spectrum of the AdS black hole with the Robin boundary condition

We study the quasinormal mode (QNM) spectrum of an asymptotically AdS black hole with the Robin boundary condition at infinity. We consider the Schwarzshild-AdS$_4$ with the flat event horizon as the background spacetime and study its scalar field perturbation. Denoting leading coefficients of slow- and fast-decay modes of the scalar field at infinity as $\phi_1$ and $\phi_2$, respectively, we assume a linear relation between them as $\phi_2 = \cot(\theta/2) \phi_1$, where $\theta$ is a constant called the Robin parameter and periodic under $\theta\sim\theta+2\pi$. In a certain range of the Robin parameter, there is an instability driven by the boundary condition. We also find the holonomy in the QNM spectrum under the parametric cycle of the boundary condition: $\theta=0\to2\pi$. After the one-cycle, $n$-th overtone of the QNM moves to $(n-1)$-th overtone. The fundamental tone of the QNM is swept out to the infinity in the complex plane.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figure

Makespan Minimization of Machines and Automated Guided Vehicles Schedule Using Binary Particle Swarm Optimization

An efficient and optimized Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) operation plays a critical role in improving the performance of a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS). Among the main elements in the implementation of AGV is task scheduling. This is due to the fact that efficient scheduling would enable the increment of productivity and reducing delivery cost whilst optimally utilizes the entire fleet. In this research, Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) is used to optimize simultaneous machines and AGVs scheduling process with makespan minimization function. It is proven that the method is capable to provide better solution compared to others

Anti-inflammatory effects of hyaluronan in arthritis therapy: Not just for viscosity

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been widely used for viscosupplementation of diseased or aged articular joints. However, recent investigations have revealed the active anti-inflammatory or chondroprotective effect of HA, suggesting its potential role in attenuation of joint damage. In particular, interactions between HA and other inflammatory mediators are attracting interest. This review summarizes several aspects of recent investigations of the anti-inflammatory effects of HA in arthritis